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March 2009 releases

It's time again to discuss upcoming releases (schedule at the bottom of the post). Barah Aana (releasing the twentieth) is my pick of the month, and stars Naseeruddin Shah, Vijay Raaz, and Arjun Mathur, who play driver, watchman and waiter, respectively. It should make for an exciting flick, a running time of less than a hundred minutes notwithstanding. What I'm looking forward to besides the quality of acting, a given, is the screenplay and dialogue by Raj Kumar Gupta, whose first product was quite remarkable in one of the more underrated films of 2008 in Aamir. Official website: BarahAana.com. Here's the trailer:

Compliments to Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy for their soundtrack to the upcoming 13B (March 6). With it, they not only illustrate that an album with as many remixes as base tracks (four) can work, they prove the album can be better because of the inclusion of the remixes. Sab Khairiyat Hai (It's all good) and Bade Se Shehar Mein (In a big city) are very good and complete songs. And maybe it's because it seems it's been ages since we last heard something from Baba Sehgal, Oh Sexy Mama is the party track to beat this year (although I do wish it were tastefully choreographed -- this could have been so much better). Listen to all songs at this link.

For once, I almost want to see a horror movie. Starring R. Madhavan, Neetu Chandra, and several others including Poonam Dhillon, 13B has an intriguing plot (see 'About 13B' -> 'Synopsis' at its official website: 13B.in).

Aloo Chaat is interesting, not because its title promises unadulterated masala entertainment, nor because it carries potential to be just another loud comedy, but because it marks the film debut of the gorgeous Aamna Shariff. If you've seen her in a TV show, you know it was only a matter of time before she made her way to film. The soundtrack (RDB) is about decent -- Boliyaan is a very good (and familiar) folk song, and Dhadke Jiya by Pakistani artist Xulfi is the other pick. The songs are available for listening here. I think they'll sound better in the film, which also stars Aftab Shivdasani and Kulbushan Kharbanda. Official website: AlooChaat.com. (Aside: Gosh, they seem to be making a film in Delhi every other week these days, what's with that?)

Speaking of comedies, Dhoondte Reh Jaaoge (You'll search, dazed) is one that should be more interesting, given the cast includes Paresh Rawal (who plays a filmmaker wanting to make a film that flops), Johnny Lever, Sonu Sood, Zayed Khan, Kunal Khemu, Soha Ali Khan, Deepal Shaw, and Asrani. This one's a sleeper pick, might be really good, if hilarious trailers of parodies of a scene from Sholay (1975) and a song from Dilwaale Dulhania Le Jaayenge (1995) offer any indication. Here's a Sonu Sood interview with more.

Aa Dekhen Zara (Come, Let's See) is a 'romantic musical thriller'. The 'musical' portion is out of it, since Pritam Chakrobarty just delivered another average soundtrack. But I might just check this out for Bipasha Basu (she's playing a DJ!), and because I rather liked Neil Mukesh's debut film, Johnny Gaddar (2007). (Oh, and Sophie Chaudhary is in the mix, somewhere, too.) The artwork on the official website reminds of the artwork of Dhoom 2 (2006), it'll be interesting to see what they deliver. Official website: AaDekhenZara.erosentertainment.com.

18 comments:

I am really looking forward to Aa dekhen zara, it looks like one big fun film sorta like Dhoom2. I've seen the promos of Dhoondte Reh Jaaoge and it seems interesting, but i think i'll wait for that to come on dvd. And 13b and straight looks promising, it doesn't seem like its going to be released in the cinemas here so i might have to wait for it on dvd.

Barah Aana (why cut out the Paanch rupaiya part?) sounds really interesting and I am hoping that Dhoondte Reh Jaaoge will be as hilarious as the trailers make it sounds. Me too, on wanting to check out Aa Dekhen Zara because I loved Johnny Gaddar, but not sure if Bollywood sci-fi is going to be my cup of tea - Koi Mil Gaya was just bearable, its sequel terrible and I havent heard any encouraging stuff about Love 2050.

bollywooddeewana: Aa Dekhen Zara should be interesting, although I hope it's as much fun as Dhoom 2, which made for decent entertainment. It'll be interesting to see what they make of this. I think it'll be the only film this month that's playing at my local theater, I usually have to wait for DVDs, it's my only choice! 13B and Straight are, as you say, interesting in their own right. I like the plot to Straight better than that to Dostana.

Love Story 2050 did little or nothing for me, honestly. I appreciate your view of it, of course, and maybe I just need to get past the first hour or so. I've tried watching it three times, and each time, I got so bored, I eventually gave up. *Sigh* And it takes a lot to disengage me, I try with all my heart to like the movies I see!

Bollyviewer: I was thinking of that Paanch Rupaiya bit, especially since in the other film, Dhoondte Reh Jaaoge (fingers crossed for it), the producer's making a film that he wants to flop, which reminds of Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi too! I'm with you on Bollywood sci-fi -- I thought Koi Mil Gaya and its sequel were about okay, and Love Story 2050 and Drona were not much fun at all for me. SRK might be working on a superhero flick next, which should be interesting.

Hey, the releases this month look promising! Although I'm quite disappointed that Firaaq has been postponed again :(

From the list, I'm looking forward to 13B, Barah Aana, Gulaal and Little Zizou. Barah Aana should be brilliant; I really want to see Arjun Mathur again on screen. He was absolutely terrific in that small role in Luck By Chance.

Saadia: January and February seem to have had huge films that didn't work well at the box office. That seems to be the major criticism of Delhi-6, which I haven't yet seen. Was hoping to check it out this past weekend, but there's always next weekend :) 'Kaala Bandar' as the title would have been interesting. It certainly would have been consistent with the extraordinary (in a good way) soundtrack artwork!

Nitesh: Welcome, and thank you for your comment. I think Baarah Aana will be interesting, but I am not a big fan of horror movies, so that probably has something to do with it. There's more diversity in offerings this month than usual, so let's hope there are those that surprise us!

Agreed on Baarah Aana, for that cast alone, I think the film will be worth watching. And I really like we have a Hindi film with mention of Zinedine Zidane in the title! Little Zizou sounds fun, let's hope it proves me wrong and is more than just another sports film. The last time John Abraham (and I don't know the extent of his involvement here) was in a film involving soccer (Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal), it didn't work for me. He might have learned from his mistakes, there seems to be an interesting angle involving the Mumbai press in this, so fingers crossed for a good one!

Yeah, Little Zizou looks like a small "bright" film. John's Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal was terrible. It was inspired by the Manchester United team's plane crash incident..but the film had the wrong director (I think it's Vivek Agnihotri who also made Chocolate, another poorly inspired film!).

Pitu: I hear you! Baarah Aana is the only film I'm expecting something substantive from, but that's a safe hedge :)

Bhargav: I remember reading they tried unsuccessfully to cast the real Zizou in the film. *That* I would go to theaters for! (Hint: I think the Stade de France is God's gift to sports fans.)

Agreed on Dhan Dhana Dhan. It could have been so much more! Chocolate was interesting. Could have been much better too, but the cast did salvage some bits of it, I thought. Still, it's only good in spurts, which is a major issue. Oh well. :)

It's interesting, I just read about it recently too. I've only listened to the soundtrack once, and Dhoop Ke Sikke is the one track I seem to like. I probably need to listen to it again, perhaps in a different setting, before concluding on it. Thanks for the heads up Bhargav!

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